جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 9

Cade left without looking back.I curled my fingers tight without thinking.His scent still hung in the air. I couldn't even muster the strength to take one more breath.Nina saw my red eyes and couldn't stand it."Celine, are you still gonna go wait for Cade at the ceremony?"I shook my head."No."I used to think we had time too. That's why I was willing to wait.Now I understood.This was God's will.If even God didn't want me dragging him down, who was I to fight it?I went through the things Cade and the Russell family had entrusted to me over the past three years one more time.Ordinary gifts didn't need to go back. But the engagement ring and several pieces of Russell family heirloom jewelry would have to be returned once the engagement was called off.These had been kept in separate vaults, and a couple of pieces had been sent out for maintenance. I went through them one by one and made a list.I handed the list to my parents and Nina."My body's getting worse by the day. The s

That was exactly what I wanted.Only if everyone knew the engagement was over would Cade be free to marry someone else without carrying a mess from the past.But I didn't say that. I made up an excuse."Cade, I'm thinking of you here.""Leah's making her first real entrance into the Carter circle. She can't show up looking like she doesn't belong. Let her borrow the jewelry for now. Once our ceremony's done, you can replace them. Simple."Cade hesitated, then nodded."You always think of everything."I forced myself upright. "Come on, let me show you the pieces.""You can check which ones came from the Russell family so we know what needs to go back later."Cade frowned. "Celine, aside from the ring and the family heirlooms, everything else is yours now. Do whatever you want with it. Nothing to replace."The words slipped out before I could stop them. "Everything that should go back, will. One piece short is one piece owed. I don't want things getting messy later."Cade stopped dead."

"Celine, what did you just say?!"Cade's eyes were wide with shock.He thought he'd misheard. He asked again.I repeated it patiently. Not a ripple in my voice."I said I'm stepping aside. If you've decided to take care of Leah, then be with her."Cade looked like he'd lost his mind. He grabbed my shoulders, eyes red and terrifying."Celine, I know I messed up. But I already apologized. Do you really have to say something this hurtful?"I kept my voice even. "Cade, I'm not trying to hurt you.""I just think seven missed ceremonies is God telling us we aren't meant to be.""If that's how it is, maybe we should stop fighting it."Cade kept shaking his head."No. We haven't missed anything. And there's no such thing as not meant to be."He let go of me suddenly, turned, and practically fled out the door.All he left behind was one sentence. "Celine, I don't believe in God.""And I'm not leaving it up to fate.""Three days from now, I'm coming back. The ceremony happens. You're my wife. No

If I'd had any choice, I would never have wanted Cade to know.But I couldn't even get out of bed. There was no way I could stop Nina.All I could do was lie there and listen to everything happening outside.I couldn't see Cade's face. I only knew he went quiet for a long time.Then he laughed."Nina, looks like Celine really is furious this time.""She's making up death threats now to get a reaction.""Fine, tell her I'll let the whole thing go. I won't say she did any of it. Just stop with this and come back with me."Nina couldn't believe how stubborn he was.She turned toward my room, helpless. "Sis, I can't get through to him.""You wanna tell him yourself?"Before I could open my mouth, the doctor beside me whispered to Nina. "Nina, I just ran her vitals. She's got three days at most.""If he stresses her out any more, it could..."The doctor's voice was low, but Cade heard every word.He grabbed the doctor by the collar, face dark as a storm."What do you mean three days?!""You

Cade turned to Leah."I've spent years keeping my promise to you. I've done everything I could. That promise ends here.""As for the scandal after that night, you engineered the whole thing. Don't try to use it against me.""The costs from canceling the Carter engagement, the legal fees, your living expenses and your mother's, I'll have my lawyer set up a ten-million-dollar trust. Is that enough?"Cade called his lawyer right in front of her. "Get the settlement agreement to her today."He hung up. His voice was ice. "Sign it when it arrives. If you come near Celine again, I'll file a restraining order. And I'll pursue charges for the property damage and for framing her.""From this point forward, the Russell family and I personally will not be providing you with any resources or financial support."Leah knew better than to push. She knew he meant it.Watching her defeated back as she walked away, I smiled helplessly. "Cade, finding someone who's willing to stay isn't easy. Why won't y